By Charissa Luci-Atienza
The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) welcomed on Monday, June 8 Zamboanga del Sur 2nd district Rep. Leonardo “Jun” Babasa Jr. as its new party member.
Zamboanga del Sur 2nd district Rep. Leonardo “Jun” Babasa Jr.
(Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
Babasa, who bolted from the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), virtually took his oath on Monday afternoon as new member of Lakas-CMD.
With Babasa's decision to join the party, the party now has 35 members, including 18 partylist lawmakers.
“We are in the process of beefing up our ranks by recruiting more lawmakers. We are working very hard to keep with our promise to solidify and strengthen our political influence,” Romualdez, party president, said in a statement.
Romualdez and House Deputy Majority Leader and Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, who serves as party vice president, administered the oath via Zoom application.
Babasa is a vice chairperson of three House Committees-- Disaster Management, Higher and Technical Education, and Local Government.
“The Lakas-CMD political party is a staunch ally of the government and will continue to support the swift passage of President Duterte’s legislative agenda,” he said.
Southern Leyte lone district Rep. Roger “Oging” Mercado, Biliran lone district Rep. Gerardo "Gerryboy” Espina Jr., and Bataan 1st district Rep. Geraldine Roman had also joined the party last December, February, and March, respectively.
Aside from Romualdez and Arroyo, other Lakas-CMD party officials and members include Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur 1st district Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., Lanao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Yasser Balindong, Deputy Majority Leader and Pangasinan 4th district Rep. Christopher “Toff” de Venecia, Quezon 3rd district Rep. Aleta Suarez, Lapu-Lapu City lone district Rep. Paz Radaza, Negros Occidental 5th district Rep. Marilou Arroyo, and Misamis Oriental 1st district Rep. Christian Unabia.
Eighteen party-list lawmakers are also allied with Lakas-CMD.
The partylist lawmakers had inked the “Declaration of Alliance for Unity and Progress” with the Lakas-CMD "to further solidify their support to the legislative agenda of President Duterte and Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.
Former Presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Fidel Ramos, and former Speaker Jose de Venecia are part of the 28-year old political party.